Flames at Montreal heritage building finally extinguished
The flames at the former Monastère du Bon-Pasteur building in downtown Montreal have been extinguished, but over a dozen firefighters remained on site early Saturday morning to ensure the fire wouldn't reignite.
Residents were permitted to enter and retrieve their essentials, such as important documents and medications, by the early afternoon.
The five-alarm blaze started Thursday afternoon and burned into Friday evening, placing 59 people into the care of the Red Cross and triggering an air quality advisory due to smoke.
Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM) chief Richard Liebmann said Friday that the fire was "very difficult" to extinguish due to the building's structure and construction materials.
A man in his 80s was discovered inside hours after other occupants fled. He was sent to hospital to be treated for hypothermia, and SIM authorities say it's unclear why he was overlooked in the evacuation.
The building, a former monastery, was built in 1846 at the corner of Sherbrooke and de Bullion Streets. A recognized heritage site, it housed residential units, a daycare, community organizations, and a concert hall.
It also contained precious historical and cultural items now feared to be destroyed, including a 250-year-old harpsichord and a $300,000 piano.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is set to begin on Monday.
With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.